Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-09-17
Hen Talk

G. F. Holder, in September Wide Awake
AS an example OF bird-language the ordinary
domestic fowl presents the most interesting and
perfect range, so common that It Is rarely consd-
cred or reflected upon; not few will be aston
ished at the vocal possibilities Of the hen they
give the subject little Investigation.
Knowing that the hen has voice. we assume
that It's onice Is to AFFORD communication between
individuals. Half an hour in farm-yard will, be-
yond question, demonstrate this and that certain
sounds are the equivalents or words the crow of
the cock is aSsuredly q challenge the moment
another bird Is noticed, and is kept up either in
in answer to Others, and is comparable to the
challenge or war cry OF many savage tribes, or
even the answering shouts OF college boys or men,
that are unexplainable on other grounds shan a
challenge OF merits
Observing closely our rooster accompanied by
his family, we notice that the hens pay no atten-
ton to the challenge; but let him fiild some deli
cacy, he utters succession Of short notes. ''Tuck
tuck tuck tuck! upon which the others rush about
head, the cock, guardian OF the hock raises his
head and utterS prolonged note as different from
s sne t ,en as possible he seems TO
out for the hawk! run !" and Immediately hens and
chickens duck their heads and rush for cover
Now let q dog dart after the head OF this family
and listen to the clucRS and other sounds coming
fast and flrious-protests in every information.
The hen cannot crow, but she has in other re-
spects as perfect control OF language as her MASTER
Indeed, she can sing; purely self-congratulatOry
performance expressive OF deep contentment and
CoupieGe sdIlSldctlon nearQ when hens are let out
and they are running for food and upon warm days
in spring 1t Is 'kerr kerr, kerr" differing in its
incubation and information In individuals HOW
different Is this from the sharp 'cluck, cluck" OF
the mOtner-hen The latter is general warning
to every body, and plainly says, II have young
family and must be let alone" II a grain is found
how suddenly this Is changed to the quick call,
"Tuck, tuck, tuck!" upon hearing which the little
ones come rushing pel[mell; and they understand
1t the moment they leave the shell. Indeed the
different notes, or 'baby talk" of q hen are Of
great variety No one would think OF saying that
the "cut, cut, ca-da-cut' was a call. 1t says as
pam as words can TELL II have laid an egg" and
the bright little egg-hunter who hears 1mmedl-
ately starts for the hay loft, as favorite hound
OF mine was in habit of doing She understood
hen Language, and fed upon freshly Laid eggs for
some tlne before discovered that she was such
lngufst. The moment "cut, cut ca-du-cut" was
heard she trOtued to the hen coop.
When the little chicks are nestled under the
mother another sound is heard, a prolonged hoarse
happy mother in my possession without the aid of
monograph. Enter q chicken-coOp at night,
and soft Whistling noise is made gentle chirp-
1ng>Dy the birds, sounding something like "w-h-o-
Ole, rapidly repeated, that speaks plainly OF ap
prehension II chicken Is seized by the leg the
'c-ra-1-a-t-Ou, c-r-a-t-a-f-Ou" that follows could
never be construed into anything but wall OF
anguish. so II we commence dictionary OF the
ing as basis:
Ur-kd-do-oIe-do-o-o. Challenge OF male.
Tuck, tuck, tuck. Food call of male
h-d-f-T-e. Announcing presence OF hawk
~, GU, cd,ad,cm announcement OF egg laying.
Ctuck, ctuck, ctuck, Cali OF young.
heTr Kerr, Kerr. Song OF contentment OF hen.
C.r-d-U-z-z-e. Queting young chicks
W-h-o-o-i-e twhistlel. Expression Of apprehen-
S.r-a-i-d-i-O-u. Terror and protest at capture.
Ihese sounds OF course vary in individuals; that
Is, III the 1ntonation as, like persons no two birds
can utter the same vocal sound